recently read: the world is on fire but we’re still buying shoes

08: and the book I was influenced to buy from Instagram that I didn’t like

Knowing what book someone is reading and what parts they resonate with most can be so intimate. It reveals their interests, where their head is at, and what excerpts are so significant that they will mark up a page because they think it’s worth revisiting at a later time. I’m fascinated by what books others gravitate towards and I find that it helps me get to know them better and gives me a small glimpse into who they are at their core. No one asked for these book reviews, but maybe it’s my way of showing who I am and what I’m interested in – beyond the clothes, the products, and my career. Or at the very least, encourage some to look up from their phones and instead towards the pages of a good book. 

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Book no. 26 of 2022

The World is on Fire but We’re Still Buying Shoes by Alec Leach

For people who care about what they wear and what’s going on in the world — and how conflicted that makes them feel. This book is a great intro to consumerism for those interested in fashion or just shopping in general. It covers the marketing tools that get us to shop more (collabs, drops, limited edition, etc.), greenwashing, and how to shop less. It’s easy to understand, digest, and has clear takeaways for those wanting to do and be better in regards to environmental impact. It's also compassionate and nuanced — not shamey or intimidating. It really encouraged me to think not only about my shopping habits, but also what I’m sharing, which is challenging given the industry I work in. I still have a lot of things to unlearn. It’s a fast and short book, one you can finish in a day, and perfect to give as a gift, especially to someone who isn’t much of a reader. I’ve purchased at least 5 of these books already and gave them as gifts. I highly recommend.

Favorite quotes:

“Think of our wardrobes as investment, not as a moment to broadcast on Instagram.”

“So long as what’s in and what’s out is chosen for us, we’ll always be buying more than we need.”

“If buying things truly made us whole, then we’d have stopped by now.”

“80-150 billion garments are produced every year for just 7.9 billion human beings.”

“Impulse buys become regret purchases which become burdens.”

“Shopping will always be inherently problematic, there are no easy solutions. It’s all shades of grey. Once you accept that, the importance of doing it less becomes so much clearer.”

“Personal style, not fashion, holds the greatest reward: it allows you to invest in yourself, rather than in a bunch of ideas about who you could or should want to be… To give yourself over to [the impulse churn that says something is suddenly uncool] is to forgo your individuality…”

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